A Brief Detour Into Frivolity: A List of Some of My Current Favorite Celebrities

Apart from a long-time crush on Natalie Portman (mainly based on roles from two of her movies) and an off and on crush on Rachel McAdams, I have never really followed or been interested in celebrities and watching their interviews. Even for the previous two, I have very rarely watched interviews with them but recently there have been a few celebrities whose interviews I search out and enjoy watching and even enjoy learning some about their lives. So here is my celebrity favorites list and what I would like to do with each of them (spoiler alert, it's not anything dirty), in no particular order.

1. Jennifer Lawrence. I think this girl is one of the funniest, most ridiculous, and adorable actresses out there right now. I've heard she can curse like a sailor, so I know I wouldn't like that aspect of her, but I would like to find a really really bad/corny movie and watch it in a living-room group setting with her (with her providing plenty of narration of course). I love watching her interviews and enjoy her acting but I can't decide whether I would greatly enjoy hanging out with her or if she would drive me crazy. I think we would get along great in small doses. She would probably only tolerate me if she got my dry humor, otherwise I would be too bland.
2. Emma Watson. I admire this woman, for the character she got to play in Harry Potter and the woman she is today. I would love to get coffee with her to talk about books, current world events, and her work with the UN. I think she is smart, charming, and lovely. The thing I think I would be most nervous of is appearing a little ignorant.
3. Emma Stone. I think she is one of the most adorable and charming girls around. I would love to spend the day with her and Andrew Garfield (her boyfriend or past boyfriend) hiking or kayaking. I think they are cute together and genuinely think I would get along with both of them, especially if they were together.
4. Logan Lerman. He just seems like a sweet, likeable kid. I thought he was perfect in Perks of Being a Wallflower and I'm looking forward to seeing him in Fury. I think he, Andrew Garfield and I share similar personalities and think they may be oddball enough for me to get along with well.
5. And lastly, Taylor Swift. At certain times (especially when she does not have a lot of makeup on) I have thought she was quite beautiful but, and I know may seem odd, I never really developed a crush on her until I saw the video for Shake It Off. I love that even with all her fame, she doesn't take herself too seriously and isn't afraid to be a little dorky (which is one of the things I like about Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence as well). I also love that she is getting attention for being so supportive of some of her female friends. Speaking of her female friends, I think it would fun to make dinner with a couple of them and Taylor and then watch a movie. In high school and college I used to sometime be a part of “girl nights” and I think Taylor would be someone fun to experience this with. P.S. One day one of my sisters and I were talking about Taylor Swift and out of nowhere she said, “Your not allowed to date her.” So even if I ever got the chance, I guess I'd have to let it pass by. :)

A couple things I think all of these people have in common is that they are all sweet and intelligent people.

I know fame has a lot of advantages (and I believe some of the above people are using those advantages to help humanity), a lot of perks but I also know I probably would not handle fame well. I am a very passive and laid-back person but if paparazzi was getting in my face and especially in the face of someone I care about, I may have a hard time not throwing a punch or uttering a few threats. I know celebrity houses/estates are often very excessive but I can somewhat understand why so many indulge in that excessiveness. Those compounds are a refuge to attempt to keep prying eyes and listening ears at arms length. I think I would have to take the Johnny Depp approach and live in a place where not many people care about my fame.

I feel like I should say that if I were to make a list of favorite actors, as far as how well I like their acting, it would be a little different. Note: some of these people I do not like in “real life” I merely think they act well and typically chose good parts.

In no particular order:

1. Dakota Fanning. I've thought this girl was an amazing actress since she was tiny (in I Am Sam and Man on Fire)
2. Denzel Washington (good guy, bad guy, good guy who's ruthless, he can do them all)
3. Tom Hanks (I may have thought Castaway was boring, but he still did an amazing job)
4. Ashley Judd (she's so strong, I love her in Kiss the Girls)
5. Morgan Freeman
6. Will Smith (well, minus that After Earth or whatever one he recently did with his son)
7. Tom Cruise
8. Jennifer Lawrence (she made it onto both of my lists)
9. Leonardo Dicaprio (there may be a lot of his movies I don't really like, but he does a an excellent job)
10. Natalie Portman (if you think she always plays the same cute/adorable character then watch The Other Boleyn Girl, actually don't, it's a sad, twisted movie that makes you hate Ms. Portman)

An Open Letter To Hermione Granger-Weasley Concerning Emma Watson

Dear Hermione,

Forgive me for using your first name but I am unsure as to whether you adopted the Weasley name, kept your own, or if you and Ronald hyphenated both of your names.

I am unsure of how much you stay current regarding Muggle news but, because both of your parents are Muggles, I believe it is safe to assume you follow it somewhat closely. Because of this I also assume you have heard the recent news regarding Miss Emma Watson and that she has become a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN.

I am unsure how how influenced she was by portraying you for all of those years in the Harry Potter films. I know her intelligence, passion, and her sense of independence are her own but how perfect that even after that role has been completed, even as she grows and becomes her own person, that she would become someone whom I think you would be proud of.

How wonderful it is that Ms. Watson was able to fill a role of someone who felt deeply about fairness and equality, as you fought for for the House Elves, would grow up into someone who is still fighting for fairness and equality. You must be proud of her declaration of striving for gender equality, of her being a “freedom fighter,” of sorts, just as you were.

I have now listened twice to her speech given at the UN and can say I agree with, if not every word, than close to every one. Despite this I will not label myself a “Feminist.” A part of this is because of what she said, it has become an uncomfortable word, but also because though I agree with her, there are some Feminists that I merely get frustrated with. It seems some argue not for equality but for being treated just the same, that all women should be treated exactly as men are stereotypically treated. But I believe not all women want that, nor do all men. Yes, I believe they, men and women, should be treated fairly and justly but, as Ms. Watson said, there is a spectrum.

According to Myers-Briggs personality type tests I am an INFP and supposedly only 4% of United States are this personality type. Among males it is even more rare. In college I majored in Psychology and, in my classes, as my teachers talked about typical thought patterns for men and women, I more often identified with those assigned to women. Since then, this has typically been a recurring trend.

I am a heterosexual male, strongly attracted to the opposite sex. But I have no desire for power, have little ambition to lead, do not care for promotion, I am horrible at math but love art and writing, and am not motivated by money. I have a strong dislike of sports, a part of this is because I am so non-competitive and confrontational that I get frustrated with those who are very competitive. In other words, I do not posses many of the attributes associated with being a “manly man.” I feel compelled to say I have fought Missouri wildfires with little fear, have been a part of building houses and cabins, and, if someone helpless is hurt then I can get angry and passionate against those who hurt them. I know it's silly and a part of what Emma and HeforShe is fighting against, but I feel like I needed to share those things so people will know I am not a “sissy.”

I have been blessed, though I have grown up and continue to be a part of a Christian sect that is very traditional and conservative, to be supported for who I am. I have accepted I am who I am and am comfortable in my own skin. That I am nurturing, that I feel deeply, that I desire to serve instead of lead. My parents have supported me as I first thought I wanted to be an elementary teacher and then decided I believe my calling is to be a Youth Services Librarian. They understand and accept that I would turn down more money, a position with more potential for promotions, in favor of a somewhat low-paying job in which I will be happy and will feel I am making a positive difference.

Sorry to go on a tangent, but I say all that to illustrate that we are all different. Yes, I stand behind and support the Feminist cause of equality. I think it is stupidity to not pay two individuals doing the same work, the same pay. I believe women have the same potential for greatness and excellence as men. I know that many women are smarter than I, that they can make better engineers, architects, and rocket scientists than I could ever be. Some of the best, calmest, most level headed, strongest leaders I have served under were women. So, yes, I believe we are equal but I still maintain we are different, we are all different. I am glad Ms. Watson is promoting this along with her call for equality and that she realizes that is not a war of man against women but rather a war for humanity to feel, to be strong, to be gentle, to be brave, to strive and be the best you can be whether man or woman and give the support and tools for others to do the same.

Thank you for your service to humanity.

Sincerely,

Jared White